High school graduation is often treated as the pivotal moment when one becomes an adult. But for many young people today, adulthood unfolds unevenly over time, through a mix of work, further education, financial pressure, stalled plans, and gradual independence.
Turning the Tassel: What Generation Z Says About Life After High School Graduation focuses on that post-graduation reality. It’s a first-time survey by a nonprofit called Agency, as well as The Harris Poll. They queried more than 5,000 district and charter high school Gen Z students born between 1997 and 2012 who graduated between 2015 and 2025, examining outcomes such as salary, postsecondary degree attainment, homeownership, and civic engagement.
The findings are mixed, which is why the report deserves attention. Most survey respondents are working full-time. Most have pursued some further education or training after high school. And three in four say they believe they are headed in the right direction. But many also say they were underprepared for what they’re doing, financially fragile, and trying to find stable footing in work and adult life.
That picture fits what other recent Gen Z research has found. Gallup, Jobs for the Future, and the Walton Family Foundation reported in 2025 that fewer than 30 percent of high school students feel “very prepared” to pursue the postsecondary pathways they are considering, and even among students very interested in a pathway, fewer than half feel very prepared to follow it. Too many are trying to plan their futures without enough clarity, guidance, or confidence.
